The AI & Behaviour group is dedicated to responsibly advancing AI to benefit society. Our mission is to design, develop, and evaluate AI-based techniques and algorithms related to human behaviour. Our aim is to analyse, predict and support human behaviour, while respecting societal values.

Our primary focus areas include applications for health, wellbeing, safety, and sustainability. We utilize a variety of computational approaches such as model-based simulation, serious gaming, Virtual Reality-based systems, personalized advice apps, chatbots, and large language models (LLMs).

We are committed to developing ethically responsible AI approaches that respect user autonomy, are transparent and that are based on user consent.

As a new Assistant Professor, you will be a member of the broader Computer Science department, which is conducting cutting-edge research on key topics within a coherent program. In the department, we combine fundamental, strategic, and application-oriented research to ensure that our work is highly relevant to both the scientific and societal spheres. This results in high-impact publications and research software. Our inter- and multidisciplinary research contributes to various societal domains, including humanities, social sciences, and health. You will contribute to the teaching in our very popular undergraduate and graduate AI programmes.

Your duties

• conduct cutting-edge research in AI and human behaviour
• develop innovative AI solutions that contribute to societally relevant applications
• collaborate with a experts within and outside our research group
• contribute to teaching and mentoring AI students
• perform management tasks within the department

• a PhD in AI, Computer Science, Cognitive Science or a related field
• a research background in human-centered AI, e.g. in a post-doc position
• proven interest in the safety, sustainability or health domain
• expertise in one or more of the following research areas: computational modelling, reasoning and knowledge representation, behaviour change technology, and/or machine learning
• experience with practical implementations with meaningful impact
• a commitment to ethical AI practices
• ambition to be part of a collaborative working environment

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.332,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 5.929,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis This is based on UFO profile Assistant Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
• a position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months and will be changed into a permanent contract if you perform well, after which your career track will continue.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.